Effects of iron(III) reduction on organic carbon decomposition in two paddy soils under flooding conditions.

Iron oxidation and reduction have important effects on soil organic carbon conversion in paddy soil during flooding and dry conditions. This study selected two paddy soil samples, one from the city of Yueyang of Hunan Province and one from the city of Haikou of Hainan Province, that differ significantly in iron content. During a 25-day incubation, the effects of Fe(II) and Fe(III) contents and changes in the levels of several major iron forms on soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC) levels and emission of CH and CO were observed.